trim windshield

[Cougr67]

Anybody try to trim/cut a windscreen? A Cee Bailey 'Extra tall ultra domed tour shield' came with my bike and it is just too tall. I never need to raise it because it sits so high. I also have the stock windscreen and that just seems to short.

How hard is it to cut without cracking? What kind of saw and blade did you use?

[gPink]

Quite a few, including myself, have cut down the stock screen for summer use. I used a die grinder with a cutoff wheel, then sanded the edge. I cut 4 inches off.

[clogan]

Anybody try to trim/cut a windscreen? A Cee Bailey 'Extra tall ultra domed tour shield' came with my bike and it is just too tall. I never need to raise it because it sits so high. I also have the stock windscreen and that just seems to short.

How hard is it to cut without cracking? What kind of saw and blade did you use?

I was in same situation as you, then today, a fellow rider gave me his old stock shield off his '08. I installed on my 2010, and now have plenty of air flow. Bike handles better, too. Plus, I should get a tick or two better fuel mileage since I'm not pushing that huge Cee Bailey around anymore! I originally thought I might cut down the '08 shield, but now I don't think so. I like it just the way it is. Come winter, the Cee Bailey is tops. But for hot weather, it blocks too much air.

[Barry]

Cut down OEM shield.  Used jig saw with high tooth count per inch blade.  Taped it off, sanded edges by hand when done.  Painted satin black on the inside.  Looks perfect.  Took 10 minutes.

[Conrad]

Cut down OEM shield.  Used jig saw with high tooth count per inch blade.  Taped it off, sanded edges by hand when done.  Painted satin black on the inside.  Looks perfect.  Took 10 minutes.

+1 I did the same thing with a stock '08 shield. I cut 4" off of it for use when it's hot out. It took me way longer than 10 mins from start to finish though. But I'm very anal so there you go. I even wet sanded the edges.

[smg id=349]

[Cougr67]

Sounds good, thanks for the info!

[Barry]

FYI - I measured how much the bike raises and lowers the shield, and removed exactly that much from my OEM shield.  Thus, in the highest position, it is the same height as an uncut shield in the lowest position.  But you get more air under it.  I didn't want to trim more than that.

I'm 5'9" and it works pretty good for me.  In lowest position the cut shield dumps air right on my hot crotch.  Wait.  That sounded funny.

Barry

[BigAlan]

Cut down OEM shield.  Used jig saw with high tooth count per inch blade.  Taped it off, sanded edges by hand when done.  Painted satin black on the inside.  Looks perfect.  Took 10 minutes.

Did you have to rough up the inside of the screen for the paint to stick to?
What type of paint did you use, i guess you could spray paint if it was suitable for plastic?

Thanks
Alan

[Conrad]

Did you have to rough up the inside of the screen for the paint to stick to?
What type of paint did you use, i guess you could spray paint if it was suitable for plastic?

Thanks
Alan

In my case, my original plan was to tint the cut down screen using VHT Niteshades tinting paint. I had an issue with the valve of the can sputtering and it messed up my nice smooth coating. I ended up putting several coats on and pretty much blacking out the screen. I didn't do any prep to the inside of the shield other than cleaning it really well.

[Barry]

Did you have to rough up the inside of the screen for the paint to stick to?
What type of paint did you use, i guess you could spray paint if it was suitable for plastic?

Thanks
Alan

No.  No prep other than cleaning and removing all wax.  Put several thin coats on.  I've done 2 shields this way.  From the "outside" it is impossible to see any drips, etc.  and if you are really careful, the rattle can will put on a very nice finish.  I recommend a satin black, vice flat or gloss.

Barry

[BigAlan]

A mate of mine has one of these Vinyl wrapping companies and he has som excellent gloss black vinyl so giving this a go before the painting route.

If nothing else this forum makes you think of different ways to get the job done.

Thanks
Alan